Announcing the opening of Stonewall Chico's Coming Out For Art (COFA) 2026 art show and artistic vendor booth submissions.

About our 2026 theme:

Humans are storytellers. It's how we record the past, learn lessons, make meaning, form identities, and understand our place in the world. Censorship and narrative control of Queer and Trans histories, realities, and futures attempt to bury our existence but when we choose and hold the stories that define us, teach us and sustain us, we choose and hold power for ourselves. For COFA 2026, we invite you to bring art that tells your stories, your ancestors' stories, and your communities' stories as we co-create a Queer anthology of things we must not forget.

Who is invited to submit artwork/ vend: People of any age and experience level who identifies as LGBTQIA2S+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans or Nonbinary, Queer, Intersex, Asexual or Demisexual, 2-Spirit) and wants to participate.

What types of work can be submitted: All kinds of visual and 3-dimensional art including paintings, collage, sculpture, textile and woven art, etc. Music and performance art will be be presented at the Grand Reception. Set design, audio, electronic or light effects are welcome so long as they do not interfere with other art. Art and artisan vendors of all kinds are invited.

Nudity and mature themes are welcome for our 18+ gallery section, but excessive gore, art promoting violence, hate or abuse, culturally insensitive pieces or anything deemed pornography is subject to refusal. Entries must be the original work of the artist and be created without the use of AI.

To offset the cost of renting the gallery space and producing the event, artists are asked to pay $15 per piece submitted. A financial assistance program is available to folks for whom this is a hardship.

Submissions close September 18th. The gallery will be open October 2nd until November 1st and art may be purchased at any time during open MONCA hours: Thurs-Sun, 11am-5pm. The Grand Reception on October 16th will feature our vendor fair and any music/performance art pieces.

Thank you to our Stonewall Chico Pride 2026 sponsors! Some of these folks gave money, some gave services or spaces that make our events possible - and all are valuable LGBTQ+ allies to know about in our community! Featuring…

Partnership Health Plan of CA,
indivisible Chico,
Planned Parenthood Northern CA,
NorCal Resist,
KZFR,
Mains'l,
Embarc,
Oregrown,
Johnny on the Spot,
Faith Lutheran Church,
Freebird Yoga Studio,
and these other wonderful community partners.

Date: Friday, July 31, 2026
Time: 11:30am Registration, 11:45am - 4:30pm course
Location: Enloe Health Conference Center, 1528 Esplanade.
Cost: FREE for all Enloe Health Employees, and for other participants who do not require CEs. $10 for participants who require CEs but are not Enloe Health Employees.
Beverages and Snacks will be provided.

Stonewall Chico is very proud to be partnering with Enloe Health to bring healthcare providers in our area the second Transgender Patient Care Summit. This is an educational event tailored for doctors, advanced care providers and nurses, but open to anyone working in or studying healthcare. It will offer skills and knowledge needed to provide competent Trans-specific healthcare and is taught by doctors and professionals who practice locally.

Topics:

• Genital Surgery: Debby Anziano, PA, and Breanna Jedrzejewski, M.D., Align Surgical Associates

• Supporting Trans Patients: Blue Martinez, TGNC Program Coordinator, and Maximilian Cordeiro, Education and Advocacy Coordinator, Stonewall Alliance Chico

• Chest Surgery and OB/GYN Care: Emily Hartmann, M.D., and Kacie Rounds, M.D., Enloe Health

• Hormone Therapy: Alyssa Milliron, M.D., Enloe Health